Niall Grimley: 'I honestly didn't believe the joy this cup would bring'
Armagh All-Ireland winner Niall Grimley speaks about a year of tragedy and triumph when 'the lows were so low and the highs were so high.'
‘Living it is incredible’ says Niall Grimley of his new football life and the aftermath of Armagh’s remarkable All-Ireland triumph.
The 30 year old is currently in Miami with his team mates and family, living the football dream.
“Obviously we are not used to that kind of stuff,” he says. “You are used to the Dublins doing it year after year and for us to be living it is incredible.”
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The sheer joy he’s witnessed since Armagh’s victory over Galway at the end of July has been something to behold: “I don’t have a word in my vocabulary, it’s that good,” he says. He’s savoured every precious little moment.
It’s been “a tough week,” says the Madden club man, who tonight will collect the Gaelic Writers’ Association Football Personality of the Year award, supported by the Delta Hotel Group.
Last Monday was exactly a year to the day since the Grimley and McElvanna families had their lives turned upside down by a tragic car accident.
Niall’s brother Patrick, his wife Ciera and Ciara McElvanna, wife of Armagh 2002 All-Ireland winner, Kevin all died in the accident. They were returning from a surprise 40th birthday party for Patrick.
A joint anniversary mass took place on Tuesday before Niall, wife Emma and daughter Olivia joined the Armagh players and families to head for Miami.
“We are meeting all these anniversaries for the first time,” said Grimley. “This past year has been challenging.
“Obviously to be able to give my family, community and Armagh the joy of being able to bring the cup back to Madden, my club, it has been a distraction if that makes sense.
“It’s kept people busy. It’s brought joy to people when there were sad days and there were dark, dark days. Proud and privileged to be able to bring the cup back.
“It’s been a tough week but only for my wife, my family, my friends, my work at Bar One Racing - very understanding - Armagh management, Geezer (Kieran McGeeney), the impact they have had on me in the past year, I am very thankful.
“For me, it’s been a roller coaster year. The lows have been so low and the highs have been so high. Unusual year.
“None of that (his role in the All-Ireland win) would have been possible three and a half months ago if I didn’t have all that sitting in place.
“So, they have been incredible and then obviously the whole may through when I was playing youths and stuff, coaches or teachers that would have coached me.
"They all had to play a small part in us getting over the line and winning the All-Ireland final.
“So I am very, very appreciative of anyone who has helped me in any small way. So for 2025 I am going to need double that help and more.”
The effect the Sam Maguire Cup has on people has taken Grimley by surprise.
“You be meeting people now and they be in tears, even at the thought of seeing Sam Magurie, the Cup, and even at the thought of being able to hold it and stand beside you and get a photo,” he says.
“I honestly didn’t realise the joy this cup would bring. It’s been anything I ever imagined. I never imagined it being this huge. It’s honestly brilliant, unbelievable. I don’t even have a word in my vocabulary, it’s that good.”
Grimley’s football ability was never in doubt as he showed in the latter stages of the All-Ireland, kicking three points from play across the semi-final and final.
But a broken neck sustained in training in 2022 left him sidelined for nine months. Then he ruptured knee ligaments in the build-up to last year’s Ulster final.
He didn’t play a single minute in the Ulster Championship as Armagh lost the decider on penalties to Donegal, having also lost on spot kicks the year before to Derry.
However, injuries to Ciaran Mackin and Andrew Murnin opened the door ahead of the opening All-Ireland group stage game against Derry - and Grimley got in. He never looked back.
“Geezer gave me the nod that day and I am very thankful,” said Grimley. “He easily could have looked around for someone else.
“Everyone knows at this stage the competition for places within our squad is quite high. And like most squads - that’s what drives the standards.
“Going in against Derry that was my All-Ireland final and thankfully he (McGeeney) gave me the chance. Thankfully he gave me a chance the next day and the next day for the remaining five days.
“(I had) limited game time over the past two years but obviously as a footballer you have to keep believing in yourself. That was my whole thinking. Just keep believing in who you are and what you do and some day it will change.
“Ciaran Mackin, who was brilliant all year for us, got injured. Andrew Murnin picked up a niggle. One man’s loss is another man’s gain.
“But I’ve been that person, the year before and the year before. It shows the importance of having a squad and strength in depth, where we were able to throw someone else in.
“It could have been someone else fired in that day. It could have been big Shane McParlan fired in against Derry. I’m thankful I got the chance.”
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